Appliance mounting apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for mounting an electrical appliance, such as a lamp, in a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole in the panel. The apparatus includes an inner shell that is movably mounted within a bore defined by an outer shell. A radial flange is connected to the outer shell and is adapted to engage a first side of the panel. A lug is connected to the inner shell and is adapted to fit through the aperture, so that it may engage a second side of the panel. A coil spring is retained between the outer shell and a retainer member that releasably engages the inner shell so that the apparatus is resiliently held in place on the panel. The electrical appliance is held within the inner shell by a socket.

limited States l atent Primary Examiner-Richard E. Moore Art0rneyM0linare, Allegretti, Newitt & Witcoff ABSTRACT: Apparatus for mounting an electrical appliance, such as a lamp, in a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole in the panel. The apparatus includes an inner shell that is movably mounted within a bore defined by an outer shell. A radial flange is connected to the outer shell and is adapted to engage a first side of the panel. A lug is connected to the inner shell and is adapted to fit through the aperture, so that it may engage a second side of the panel. A coil spring is retained between the outer shell and a retainer member that releasably engages the inner shell so that the apparatus is resiliently held in place on the panel. The electrical appliance is held within the inner shell by a socket.

PATENTEDBU 191911 3,614,712 SHEET 10F 2 ANTHONY d1 NORM/AM 15y ROMA/V d W/TEK JR.

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/4 TTOR/VEYS APPLIANCE MOUNTING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to electrical mounting apparatus, and is more particularly directed to apparatus designed to be mounted in connection with a panel.

Apparatus for conveniently and securely mounting an electrical appliance in a panel has long been desired by various industries. Although apparatus of this general type has been produced in the past, it has exhibited certain deficiencies with regard to ease of assembly, mounting, and reliability that have limited its usefulness.

Typical prior art mounting apparatus is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 2,595,994 (Thomas-May 6, 1952) and US. Pat. No. 2,715,213 (BarbourAug. 9, 1955). The Thomas patent discloses socket-supporting apparatus comprising a stirrup, a supporting cup mounted on the stirrup, tabs, bosses, and a double coil spring that interconnects the various parts of the apparatus. The Barbour patent describes a socket assembly comprising a barrel, a base, a hanger bale including downwardly projecting fingers, and a coil spring that interconnects the various parts thereof. Each of the foregoing prior art devices comprises a relatively large number of parts that are difficult to assemble. In addition, the prior art devices are difficult to mount in a panel since they must be simultaneously twisted and pushed toward (or away from) the panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the deficiencies of the prior art apparatus, applicants have developed new techniques for mounting an electrical appliance, such as a lamp, in a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole. The techniques work equally well when applied to panels having various thicknesses. In its fundamental aspect, the apparatus includes an inner shell that is movably mounted within a bore of an outer shell. The outer shell is connected to a radia] flange that is adapted to engage a first side of the panel, and the inner shell is connected to a lug that is adapted to engage a second side of the panel. A coil spring is held between the outer shell and a retainer member that is coupled to the inner shell so that the apparatus is resiliently held in place on the panel between the lug and the radial flange. The lamp is held by a socket that is mounted in the inner shell.

In a preferred form of the invention, the retainer member is resiliently engageable with the inner shell. In this embodiment, the entire apparatus is assembled by merely moving the coil spring between the inner and outer shells and by snapping the retainer member into its engaged relationship with the inner member so that the coil spring is secured. Due to the unique arrangement of the parts described herein, the entire apparatus may be assembled with a degree of ease and efficiency heretofore unattainable with analogous prior art devices.

In another form of the invention, the lug comprises a beveled portion that rides against a side of the aperture during mounting. This feature produces a camming action that enables the apparatus to be mounted without applying any force toward or away from the panel. In other words, the apparatus may be mounted by merely twisting the outer shell. This feature eliminates many of the difficulties encountered while attempting to mount prior art devices.

In addition to the foregoing advantages, the subject apparatus comprises fewer parts than analogous prior art devices, and therefore results in a device that is extremely rugged and reliable. As a result, the apparatus is not likely to be dislodged or moved from its assigned position once it is securely mounted in the panel.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to a unique technique for securing a lamp socket within a shell. According to this aspect of the invention, the shell is fabricated from a resilient material, such as nylon. Resilient, deformable fingers are formed inside the shell, and are adapted to extend through corresponding openings in the socket. By using apparatus of the described type, the socket may be quickly fitted into or removed from the shell by deforming the fingers. However, after the socket is properly fitted into the shell and a lamp is installed, the socket is rigidly held in its position by the extension of the finger members through the openings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the present invention will hereinafter be described for purposes of illustration, but not of limitation, in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a perspective, exploded 'view of a preferred form of apparatus made in accordance with the present invention showing the manner in which various parts of the apparatus may be assembled;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in its assembled form, together with an indication of the manner in which the apparatus may be mounted to a panel;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatus taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line Il of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in FIG. 2 after it has been partially fitted into the panel;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the panel taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, together with a side elevational view of the remaining apparatus shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view showing the relative position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 as it is being mounted in the panel;

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the panel taken along line 99 of FIG. 8, together with a side elevational view of the remaining apparatus shown in FIG. 8;

FIG. III is a top plan view showing the relative position of the apparatus shown in FIG. 6 when the apparatus is fully mounted in the panel; and

FIG. II is a cross-sectional view of the panel taken along line IIII of FIG. I0, together with a side elevational view of the remaining apparatus shown in FIG. I0.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, a preferred form of apparatus made in accordance with the present invention comprises an outer shell 20, a radial flange 40, an inner shell 50, lugs 60 and 70, a coil spring 80, a retainer member 90, a socket 100, a tube assembly I I2, and bosses I50 and I56. The foregoing apparatus can be mounted in a paneI I64 having sides I640 and I641). The panel defines a center hole I66 that has apertures I68 and located adjacent the perimeter of the center hole. Aperture 170 has sides I72 and I7A.

More specifically, outer shell 20 comprises a cylindrical upper member 22 that defines slots 24 and 26 in which lugs 60 and 70, respectively, are held. The upper member also includes an upper rim 27 and a lower rim 28 that provides means for retaining the upper end of the coil spring. Outer shell 20 also includes a cylindrical Iower member 30 that abuts the radial flange and has a lower rim 32. The upper and lower members of the outer shell define a bore 34. More specifically, the cylindrical upper member defines an upper bore 36 and the cylindrical lower member defines a lower bore 38, the two bores together comprising bore 34.

Radial flange 40 is securely connected to the outer shell and comprises an outer rim 42, an upper surface 44 adapted to engage panel side IMb, and a lower surface 46. The flange is reinforced by ribs, such as exemplary rib 48 (FIG. 7), that are connected between lower member 30 and lower surface 46 of the flange.

As best seen in FIG. I, the outer shell and radial flange are preferably integrally formed from :a material such as plastic.

Inner shell 50 is movably mounted within bore 34 and comprises a cylindrical member 52 that defines a groove 548 in the lower portion thereof. The groove extends around the circumference of member 52. Inner shell 50 also comprises resilient, movable fingers 56 and 58 that are integrally formed with the shell. The areas below fingers 56 and 58 are removed to form slots 57 and 59, respectively. The entire inner shell is preferably formed from aresilient material, such as a plastic.

Lug 60 is preferably integrally formed with inner shell 50 and comprises a beveled portion 62 and an edge portion 64 that is adapted to grip panel side 164a in a manner described hereafter.

Lug 70 is preferably integrally formed with inner shell 50 and comprises a beveled portion 72 that is connected to an edge portion 74. Edge portion 74 is adapted to grip panel side 1640 in a manner described hereafter.

Coil spring 80 has an upper end 82 and a lower end 84. Upper end 82 rests against lower rim 28 of the outer shell, and lower end 84 rests against retainer member 90.

Retainer member 90 resembles a cylinder and comprises an upper edge 92 against which coil spring 80 is biased. The retainer member also comprises a lip 94 that is adapted to engage groove 54 and a body 96 that fits inside bore 34. The retainer member is fabricated from a somewhat resilient material such as nylon. This feature of the invention greatly facilitates the assembly of the overall apparatus.

Socket 100 comprising openings 102 and 104 that are adapted to receive fingers 58 and 56, respectively. Socket 100 also defines a slot 106 and a connected channel 108 that are adapted to receive a head of an electrical appliance, such as a lamp, in order to hold the lamp in position. The socket also defines a corresponding slot and channel that are shown in phantom in FIG. 5. A tab 110 is integrally formed with the socket 100 and is adapted to receive an electrical conductor 107. Of course, the socket is preferably made from an electrical conducting material, such as copper or brass.

Tube assembly 112 basically comprises brass tubes 114 and 116. Tubes 114 and 116 have upper lips 118 and 120, respectively, and lower lips 122 and 124, respectively. Lower lips 122 and 124 are held in position adjacent rims 138 and 140, respectively, of inner shell 50 (FIG. The tube assembly also comprises coil springs 134 and 136 that are mounted around tubes 114 and 116, respectively. The upper ends of the coils rest against upper lips 118 and 120, respectively, and the lower ends of the coils are held by portions of inner shell 50 (FIG. 5). As a result, coil springs 134 and 136 normally hold the tubes in the position shown in FIG. 5. However, when an electrical appliance is inserted in the socket, the tubes are moved downward from the position shown. The springs bias the tubes against the electrical appliance so that positive electrical contact is maintained. The tubes are hollow and are adapted to receive an electrical conductor, such as conductor 109. For the operation of a lamp, only one of the tubes need be wired. However, for other types of electrical apparatus, both tubes may need to be connected to an appropriate conductor.

Boss ISO is integrally formed with radial flange 40 and rests on top of upper surface 44 in the position shown. The boss has sides [52 and 154 that fit within aperture 168. Boss 156 is also integrally formed with radial flange 40 and rests against upper surface 44. Boss 156 has sides 158 and 160 that fit within aperture 170.

A preferred assembly and mounting method will now be described in connection with the apparatus shown in the drawings. The apparatus is assembled in the manner shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, conductor 107 is threaded through member 90, spring 80, bore 34, and the interior of inner shell 50, and is attached to tab 110. Conductor 109 is threaded in the same manner and is attached to either tube 114 or 116. Socket 100 is then lowered into inner shell 50 so that fingers 56 and 58 protrude through openings 104 and 102, respectively. As the socket is being inserted into the inner shell, the fingers are deformed in order to allow convenient assembly. During normal usage, the fingers are held in the position shown in FIG. 5 by the presence of a lamp in socket 100.

As a result, the fingers cannot be deformed to a sufficient degree to allow the socket to be inadvertently removed. However, if the lamp is removed, the fingers may again be deformed in order to allow the socket to be taken from inner shell 50 for purposes of repair. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing feature of the invention provides a unique means of holding the socket securely in place during normal usage and, at the same time, providing a technique for allowing removal of the socket without the use of any tools whatsoever.

'After the socket is in place, inner shell 50 is inserted into bore 34 so that lugs 60 and 70 ride in slots 24 and 26, respectively. Coil spring is then inserted into the bore and retainer member is snapped into groove 54 so that coil spring 80 is partially compressed in the position shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing method of assembly is remarkably simpler than the methods required to assemble prior art mounting apparatus. Once the conductors are connected to the socket, final assembly can be completed in a matter of seconds without the use of tools.

After the apparatus has been assembled, it may be mounted in panel 164 as follows. Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, and 7, the outer and inner shells are moved in relationship to center hole 166 so hat lugs 60 and 70 are aligned with and are moved through apertures 168 and 170, respectively. When the apparatus has been moved in the manner indicated, bosses and 156 abut surface 164b of panel 164 in the manner shown in FIG. 7. The apparatus may then be locked in its final position by merely twisting outer shell 20 in the direction indicated in FIG. 9. As the outer shell is twisted, beveled portion 72 of lug 70 rides upward along side 174 of aperture 170 (thus further compressing coil spring 80). Of course, the beveled portion 62 of lug 60 is moved in an analogous manner with respect to a side of aperture 168. When the apparatus has been moved to the position shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, boss I56 becomes visible through aperture 170. As the outer shell is further twisted, edge portions 64 and 74 of lugs 60 and 70, respectively, come in contact with surface 164a of panel 164. In addition, bosses 150 and 156 become aligned with apertures 168 and 170, respectively, in the manner shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. When the bosses are properly aligned, coil spring 80 biases radial flange 40 toward the panel so that upper surface 44 is rigidly held against surface l64b thereof. Thereafter, coil spring 80 continues to bias lugs 60 and 70 toward surface surface 164a and radial flange 40 toward surface l64b so that the apparatus is securely held. Moreover, since bosses 150 and 156 are held within the sides of the apertures, the apparatus may not be twisted in center hole 166. In order to remove the apparatus from panel 164, the outer shell is moved away from the panel (thus further compressing spring 80) in order to free the bosses from their respective apertures. Thereafter, the outer and inner shells may be twisted to the positions shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and removed.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the apparatus of the present invention enables panel mounting to be achieved with a degree of ease and convenience heretofore unattainable. The unique beveled portions of the lugs enable the entire apparatus to be locked in its final position by merely twisting the outer shell. As a result, no special tools are required and the entire mounting operation can be completed in a few seconds. Moreover, no force need be applied toward or away from the panel.

Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the apparatus described herein is merely exemplary of the preferred practice of the invention, and that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for mounting an electrical appliance in a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole in said panel, said apparatus comprising in combination:

an outer shell having a bore adapted to receive a coil spring;

a radial flange connected to said outer shell for engaging a first side of said panel;

an inner shell movably mounted within said bore;

at least one lug unitary with said inner shell and adapted to fit through the aperture, said lug having an edge portion beveled to allow said lug to twistingly engage a second side of said panel;

socket means recessed within the inner shell for holding an appliance;

a coil spring having upper and lower ends fitted in said bore;

first means coupled to the outer shell for retaining the upper end of the coil spring so that the radial flange is urged against the first side of the panel;

second means coupled to the inner shell for retaining the lower end of the coil spring so that the lug is urged against the second side of the panel, said lug cooperating with said radial flange through the biasing of said coil spring to act as the sole means by which said apparatus is resiliently held in place on the panel.

2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim ll, wherein the second means comprises:

a retainer member movably mounted within the bore and adapted to retain the lower end of the coil spring; and

means located on the inner shell for engaging the retainer member so that the lug may be urged against the second side of the panel.

3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means located on the inner shell comprises a groove, and the retainer member comprises a resilient lip member adapted to engage said groove.

4, Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are cylindrically shaped.

5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a rectangular-shaped boss mounted on said radial flange and adapted to fit in said aperture so that the outer shell is prevented from rotating with respect to the center hole in said panel.

6. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising:

a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole in said panel;

a cylindrical upper member connected concentrically to the outer shell adjacent the radial flange, said upper cylindrical member being of a diameter slightly smaller than said center hole of said panel so as to fit rotatably into said center hole; and

sidewalls defining a slot in said upper cylindrical member,

said slot being adapted to receive said lug. 

1. Apparatus for mounting an electrical appliance in a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole in said panel, said apparatus comprising in combination: an outer shell having a bore adapted to receive a coil spring; a radial flange connected to said outer shell for engaging a first side of said panel; an inner shell movably mounted within said bore; at least one lug unitary with said inner shell and adapted to fit through the aperture, said lug having an edge portion beveled to allow said lug to twistingly engage a second side of said panel; socket means recessed within the inner shell for holding an appliance; a coil spring having upper and lower ends fitted in said bore; first means coupled to the outer shell for retaining the upper end of the coil spring so that the radial flange is urged against the first side of the panel; second means coupled to the inner shell for retaining the lower end of the coil spring so that the lug is urged against the second side of the panel, said lug cooperating with said radial flange through the biasing of said coil spring to act as the sole means by which said apparatus is resiliently held in place on the panel.
 2. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the second means comprises: a retainer member movably mounted within the bore and adapted to retain the lower end of the coil spring; and means located on the inner shell for engaging the retainer member so that the lug may be urged against the second side of the panel.
 3. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means located on the inner shell comprises a groove, and the retainer member comprises a resilient lip member adapted to engage said groove.
 4. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein the outer shell and the inner shell are cylindrically shaped.
 5. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising a rectangular-shaped boss mounted on said radial flange and adapted to fit in said aperture so that the outer shell is prevented from rotating with respect to the center hole in said panel.
 6. Apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising: a panel having an aperture located adjacent the perimeter of a center hole in said panel; a cylindrical upper member connected concentrically to the outer shell adjacent The radial flange, said upper cylindrical member being of a diameter slightly smaller than said center hole of said panel so as to fit rotatably into said center hole; and sidewalls defining a slot in said upper cylindrical member, said slot being adapted to receive said lug. 